Don Guilfoyle ’51 is New President of Golden Anselmians

Don '51 and Bette Guilfoylelove to travel. They sailed through the Panama Canal for their 50th wedding anniversary and they have journeyed to Greece, Italy and Ireland. But one trip they’ve made so many times they can practically drive it blindfolded, is the trip to Saint Anselm College. It is a drive they have made countless times from their Hanover, Mass., home for reunions, homecomings, football games and many other alumni events.

Returning for reunion this year had a new meaning for Guilfoyle, who joined classmates and friends for the first time as president of the Order of the Golden Anselmians, succeeding classmate Reverend Francis Garrity ’51.

Fashioned after the Order of the Purple Knights at the College of the Holy Cross, the Order of the Golden Anselmians was formed to recognize alumni who had graduated 50 or more years earlier. Organized by Walter Tafe ’28 and Joseph Zapustas ’29, the program was launched at reunion 1978 with the inductions of the first “Goldens.” Tafe became the first chairman and presided over the first induction ceremony of 22 of the 98 eligible alumni, representing classes from 1910 to 1928.

“The Golden Anselmians is a way to embrace these alumni and keep them connected to the college,” says Walter Gallo ’58, former Saint Anselm alumni director and vice president of endowment, who was instrumental in the group’s establishment.

“I remember the past presidents of the Golden Anselmians, Joe Zapustas, John Barry, and Reverend Francis Garrity, as the type of Anselmian I would like to emulate,” says Guilfoyle. “I’ve seen the ‘Goldens’ grow into one of the major benefactors of the college and into one of the major powers of the Alumni Association. To be selected as president of this group is an honor, and I only hope that I will be able to follow the past presidents’ leadership and have a successful term of office.”

“I know now how these ‘older alumni’ felt,” he continues. “We might not have been able to contribute our resources and time in our younger years, however there is no time like the present to step up and help the college that has done so much for us.”

The Order of Golden Anselmians continues today, now into its 27th year. The president of the college personally invites members of the 50th reunion class, and all previously inducted members, to the annual festivities that include the induction ceremony, dinner and entertainment.

Twenty-three of the 55 members of the 50th reunion class of 1955 were inducted into the Golden Anselmians this past June, bringing the total number of “Goldens” to 688, representing the classes of 1928 to 1955.